Animal Care Services opens New Brackenridge Pet Adoption Center

Animal Care Services opened the new Brackenridge multi-use pet center this morning on the grounds of the former city shelter.

Joined by partners Petco, San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA), Pet Shotz and the Petco Foundation, ACS hosted a “housewarming” for the new campus, which features a welcoming pet adoption center, public spay/neuter clinic and a special events pavilion.

“This center epitomizes the level of commitment we have in San Antonio to one day become a no-kill community,” said Mayor Julián Castro.“I applaud Petco and our other partners for making it a reality.”

The Brackenridge Center was made possible, in part, to a joint $1 million dollar donation from Petco, Inc. and the Petco Foundation. In recognition of that generosity, the clinic and pavilion will bear the Petco name for five years while the adoption building will permanently honor Paul Jolly, a longtime Petco employee and nationally-known animal advocate. The 8,200 square-foot Paul Jolly Center for Pet Adoption will include indoor/outdoor kennels, “get acquainted” areas, puppy housing and a cattery for feline adoptions.Housing will be available for up to 56 dogs and 30 cats.

Charlie Piscitello, Petco Chief People Officer and Petco Foundation President says the new adoption center will serve as a pivotal facility in supporting San Antonio’s commitment to finding loving homes for deserving animals.

“When we opened our corporate support center in San Antonio two years ago, we said we would demonstrate our values, by being an active and involved member of the San Antonio community and this facility is just one way that we’re fulfilling that commitment,” said Piscitello. “We’re thrilled to be part of such an important project for both the animals and the residents of San Antonio.”

SAPA will manage the adoption program at Brackenridge. Dr. Ellen Jefferson, the president and founder of SAPA, says the new campus is a huge step in the direction of No Kill. “Our hope is that this brand new campus will be a physical beacon for the work that we all do to save lives in San Antonio, “said Dr. Jefferson. “It exemplifies the positive idea that these pets are valued by this community and are worth the work it takes to save their lives.”

The new center will also make it easy for local residents to learn more about responsible pet ownership with an on-site spay/neuter clinic. Dr. Fretorry Rogers, owner of Pet Shotz, Inc., says the clinic will offer low-cost vaccinations, heartworm testing and microchip services as well as affordable spay/neuter surgeries to pets in the community.

Special events like adopt-a-thons and obedience training classes will be held in the campus’ open air pavilion, which will also be available for public reservation. The 2,400 square-foot medical clinic is expected to host 4,000 free or low cost spay/neuters in its first year of operation. The adoption center is projected to complete at least 3,000 pet adoptions during the same time frame.

Cathy M. Rosenthal

About the Author

Cathy M. Rosenthal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, communications and humane education in the animal welfare field. She has worked for local humane societies and national humane groups, appearing on hundreds of television and radio news and public affairs programs to address animal issues. She currently is a consultant for local and national animal welfare organizations, writing grants, annual reports and other marketing materials. She is also the author of several children's books about animals.